Your computerized I-94 record (arrival/departure card) is available for you to print out in as little as 24 hours after your arrival. You will need your I-94 card information in order to apply for a social security card and/or driver’s license. The I-94 card electronic record can be accessed and printed out from the Customs and Border Patrol website at: www.cbp.gov/I94. You will need to input certain information (passport number, date of birth, entry date into the US and class of admission (J/1) in order to pull up your I-94 card record.
Yearly Archives: 2011
November Cluster Meeting – Bowling at Town Hall Lanes
We really had fun bowling at Town Hall Lanes on Sunday night — it turns out that some of our au pairs are very skilled at duckpin bowling! Some expressed interest in returning on their own to do it again — you may want to sign up with Town Hall Lanes to receive coupons and special offers by e-mail: http://townhalllanes.com/emailSignup.asp
We welcomed Renata and Lilly to their first cluster meeting, and said good by to Meire, who is completing her term as an au pair and will be returning to Brazil. Gabriela, who was not able to join us on Sunday evening, will complete her year on December 5, and will be returning to Costa Rica. We wish you both the very best of luck, and will miss you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Here is a famous illustration by Norman Rockwell, a 20th century American painter, which describes his vision of Thanksgiving
Most au pairs will be experiencing their very first Thanksgiving celebration this week. Thanksgiving Day in America is a time to gather with family and friends for holiday meals. It is a time of giving thanks for all of our blessings. There will be football games and parades, but “feasting” is the most significant activity that occurs on Thanksgiving Day. The main food for the feast is roasted turkey with dressing, usually accompanied by mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, cranberry sauce , fall vegetables and pumpkin pie.
History of Thanksgiving -In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. Click HERE for more information about the history of Thanksgiving.
Winter Sports and Sports Insurance
With winter sports season approaching, I wanted to make sure everyone understands how the medical coverage works for sports related injuries. There is a list of “high-risk sports/activities” that are not covered with the basic or upgrade medical insurance plans. Those activities are only covered with the Sports Insurance Package (also known as Option A.)
The Sports Insurance Package was available pre-departure and may also be purchased at any time during your year. It takes effect within 48 hours of your enrollment and it is good for the remainder of the year. The cost will be the same ($50) whether you have a month left or your whole year ahead of you. I recommend you pay for it early on, if you didn’t already purchase it. You never know when an opportunity might present itself and you don’t want to miss out on an adventure. You also don’t want to take a risk on getting injured and being responsible for the bill on your own.
Below is a partial list of sports that are only covered with the sports insurance package:
Football, Rugby, Scuba diving, Ski-doo, Wakeboarding, Skydiving, Parachuting, Rock climbing, Zip line, Skate boarding, Rollerblading, Roller skating, Ice Skating, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowmobiles & Snowshoeing. View the full list on page 3 of the insurance brochure HERE.
Note: Injuries sustained while partaking in these sports are covered with purchase of the Sports Insurance ONLY.
How to register for the Sports Insurance
Download the form HERE and follow the instructions.
Is it risky to do winter sports without the sports insurance?
Yes. If you have to pay your own hospital bills for a broken bone, you might be shocked at how much that would cost. I checked this website for some cost estimates.
Here are a couple examples:
Without medical coverage, to treat a broken arm or leg (that does not require surgery) it could cost up to $2500.
Without medical coverage, to treat a broken arm or leg (requiring surgery) it could cost $16,000 or more.
Halloween Activities for Au Pairs and Children in Rhode Island
Halloween is celebrated on October 31st in the United States. It is a favorite family celebration – a time for traditions such as dressing in costumes, trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, and carving pumpkins. American children dress up in funny or scary costumes and go “trick or treating”. The neighbors are expected to respond by giving them small treats. Adults may also dress in costume for Halloween parties. The name “Halloween” comes from the Christian tradition. It is derived from “All Hallow’s Eve.” October 31st is the eve of All Hallows day, better known as All Saints Day. This is a day when the church celebrates and remembers the lives of the saints.
Most au pairs will be celebrating the American tradition of Halloween for the very first time this year. If you are looking for fun ways to celebrate with your children…here are some of the Halloween attractions that will be going on in the Rhode Island area:
Boo Bash: Providence Children’s Musuem; October 29, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM http://www.childrenmuseum.org/
Children can play bewitching games galore, have hands-on fun with imaginative arts and “witch crafts,” explore an eerie environment, mix it up in the mad scientist’s laboratory and much more. Come in costume and have a blast at the biggest Halloween bash around!
Costume Parade: Meet at the Gazebo in Pawtucket Park, Narragansett Parkway, Warwick, October 29 at 1:15 p.m. Participants will trick or treat (wear a costume and bring a treat bag) through the village to the Village Playground in Edgewood for games, goodies and music until 4 p.m. Free. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Evening of Horror: Mystic Performance Workshop, 40 Washington Street, Providence. Haunted house with spooky sounds, children’s activities and family activities, including apple bobbing, face painting and horror move scream. Last entrance to the haunted house is 6:45 p.m. 4 – 7 p.m. $8; $5 ages 12 and younger.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 401-785-3510. RogerWilliamsParkZoo.org
Thousands of pumpkins set in a magical display or artistry. Carved jack-o-lanterns depicting people, places and scenes from popular culture to old time favorites and everything in between. Nightly 6-10 p.m. Ends November 6. Call or visit website for pricing.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
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Creepy, Crawly Family Fun Weekend: October 29, 2011 to October 30, 2011. Take a look at the gross, creepy and crawly things that make Halloween special with spooky activities and Museum creature features! Free goodie bags for each visitor. Location: Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue. Time: noon-4 p.m. Cost: Free with Museum admission of $2. Information: www.providenceri.com/museum/special-events
Au Pairs Being Asked to Volunteer for Santa's Workshop at Kent County YMCA
Sue Shanley, Program Director at the Kent County YMCA is asking for our help at her annual children’s Santa’s Workshop Christmas Party. The party is held every year for Kent County YMCA members. Our group of au pairs has volunteered in past years and it has always been lots of fun! Sue will give each volunteer a specific responsibility such as: Greeting guests as they arrive, breakfast with Santa, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, making “candy houses“, making gingerbread houses, Polar Express, Holiday arts and crafts, serving donuts and cocoa, story reading. If you would like to volunteer for this event, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can confirm your participation with the Kent County YMCA. (BarbaraFetta@gmail.com or 401-949-2427). The event is being held Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, but volunteers should plan to arrive by 9:00 a.m.
October Au Pair Meeting – Knight Farm Apple Orchard
Our October cluster meeting was held at Knight Farm Apple Orchard and Ice Cream Shoppe in North Scituate, Rhode Island. We welcomed Adriana (Italy) to her first meeting, and said goodbye to Laura, Natalia, Chrissy, and Gabriela. We acknowledged four October birthdays….Paulina, Angie, Azra, and Beverly, and we welcomed several guests to our meeting. Bruna and Beverly told us about their recent skydiving adventure – which sounded very exciting! The activity of picking apples may not have been nearly as exciting as their skydiving adventure, but everyone seemed to enjoy it. Our afternoon started out with some rain, but luckily the rain stopped in time for everyone to head out to the orchard and return with a bountiful harvest of apples!
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September Cluster Meeting at Starbucks
Our September cluster meeting was held a Starbucks on Angell Street in Providence. This meeting gave us an opportunity to talk about education opportunities, and for those who have completed their education to share their experiences with new arrivals. Welcome to our August and September arrivals: Jana, Adriana, and Ludivine. Farewell and good luck to our departing au pairs, Laura and Manja!
August Au Pair Cluster Meeting — Movies on the Block
Our August cluster meeting took place at Providence’s only outdoor movie theater, “Movies on the Block”. We brought blankets, lawn chairs, popcorn and snacks, and watched “Dog Day Afternoon”, starring a very young Al Pacino…It was a great way to spend a summer evening! “Movies on the Block” features a move every Thursday beginning early in June and running through late September, movies are screened outside at dusk on the corner of Westminster St. and Union St. It is free, and open to the public.
Summer Heat Wave – Safety Tips
Tips for Staying Cool This Summer
Be aware of the heat. Pay attention to it and modify your activities appropriately.
Pay attention to your hydration status and be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
Try to stay in relatively cool areas, even when outside. Many public places, such as libraries, shopping malls and movie theatres, are air conditioned.
Avoid hot, enclosed places, such as cars. Never leave children unattended in a car!
Use a fan, if available.
Stay on the lowest floor of your building.
Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
Cover windows that receive a significant amount of sun with drapes or shades to help keep your house cool.
Cool beverages are good for cooling down the body, while alcoholic drinks can impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.
Signs of Heat Overexposure
Heavy sweating — though if heat stroke sets in, the body can no longer compensate and stops sweating.
Pale skin.
Muscle cramps.
Feeling tired and weak.
Altered mental status (confusion or disorientation).
Headache.
Becoming semi-conscious or passing out.
Nausea or vomiting.
Steps to Take After Recognizing Heat-Induced Illness
Call 911.
Get the person out of the sun and into a cool area. An air-conditioned area is ideal, but moving someone into the shade will also help.
Apply water to help the person cool off.
Apply ice to the neck or armpits, where large blood vessels are close to the surface.
Remove any heavy clothing.
Immerse the body in cool water, either at a swimming pool or in a bathtub.
Don’t forget the pets, keep them cool and hydrated too!